Seven Crucial Tips You Need to Write a Perfect Query Letter

If you are reading this, it means that you have completed your manuscript or are about to accomplish this achievement. It can be a great feeling to cherish, but you cannot stop here on this journey. One of the most important things to do now is to write a brilliant query letter.

A query letter is a great way to introduce yourself and your work to a literary agent or a publisher. You can tell them why they are collaborating with you on this project and it can be a great opportunity for all parties involved.

You may need to consider the following tips to make your query letter stand out.

1.Start with Research

Research is one of the most important parts of perfecting your query letter. Of course, you cannot write a query letter without knowing who you are writing to. You may be writing to different editors, agents, or publishers at this stage. It is crucial to research all your options before addressing them.

When you research an ideal professional for the job, you must consider only the professionals who have prior experience working with your genre. This search method can help you narrow down your search and find ideal candidates for the job.

Research can take a lot of your time and energy. At some point, you are bound to get overwhelmed. In such moments, remind yourself that all this effort can be worth it if you find the right professional for your needs. 

2.Personalize Your Letter

One of the most important factors that sets your query letter apart from any ordinary sample is personalization. When you research an agent or a publisher, you may learn a lot about them. As shown in query letter examples, do not just rely on the basic information. 

Instead of sharing a generic query letter with the professional you aspire to hire, address them by their name and tell them why you chose to query them. Look deeper into finding crucial information such as their interests, titles, and more. Do not hold back from stating what you think makes them the right match for your book.

The key to personalization is to tell the recipient why they should partner up with you. In addition, it also shows that you have spent your time and energy on research, which portrays you as a serious person to work with.

3.Prepare Your Synopsis

A detailed synopsis is an important part of your query letter. It tells the recipient about the main characters of your book, the plot, and the central conflict they are dealing with. It may feel like a challenge to summarize your book in just a few words, but you will get through it. 

You cannot overlook writing a synopsis because not only is it an important part of your query letter, but it can also be a great sales tool for you to reach out to potential agents and also when you are creating a blurb for your novel. 

Make sure to write your book synopsis in the third person point of view and narrative distance. Keep it short, between 500 and 700 words, and state the book category. Your synopsis is your opportunity to convey your writing style and reveal all the important plot points. 

4.Strengthen Your Hook

Literary agents receive hundreds of query letters every day. It means that they do not have time to read every query letter from top to bottom. At such odds, they are likely to be more interested in reading the query letters that start strong.

That is why the hook of your query letter matters so much. You must always start your query letter with a strong hook that ensures that the recipient cannot help but read more. Your hook can indulge in the details of your book, but make sure not to give away the ending.

A strong hook and the efforts you put towards personalizing your query letter can come together to win the heart of a potential agent or publisher. They are likely to read your letter with attention and get back to you with positive sentiments.

5.Maintain Professionalism

One of the most challenging things about writing a query letter is maintaining a balance between professionalism and personalization. Many authors often blur this boundary and never hear back from their recipients.

The key to achieving success in this aspect is to maintain a consistent and professional tone throughout your query letter. A professional tone can make even informal sentences sound respectful and professional to the recipient.

6.Keep it Short

You may have read or heard about the importance of keeping your query letter short, ideally around 200-300 words. If you are thinking about how to fit your synopsis, credentials, and personal gratitude in such a short length, you are not alone.

You must read your query letter over and over again to find and eliminate fluff from the body of your letter. Keep everything to the point to ensure that the reader does not lose interest in any part of your query.

When you edit your query letter, you will not only be able to cut down on the fluff but also rectify any embarrassing errors. Your book editor can also help you make your query letter more concise for a stronger impact. 

7.End with Gratitude

There is no sure way of telling when a literary agent will get back to you regarding the query you sent or even if you will hear back from them at all. Of course, you can tell the reader what you want them to do next, but you cannot take control of their actions.

However, always remember to close your query letter politely, no matter how slim your chances of hearing back are. End the letter with a polite thank-you note to show your appreciation for their time.

Remember, the response can take some time. So, be patient, trust the process, and remain hopeful.